Murder victim's brother: 'I have no anger or hatred toward the killer'

Share this story

SHORELINE, Wash. -- Shoreline Community College students and staff were filled with shock and sadness on Sunday as they learned one of their own professors was killed in a random knife attack in downtown Seattle.

Campus staff will return to school this week after summer break, and over the next few days they'll come together to celebrate Troy Wolff's life and 17-year career at the college.

"It's devastating. It's a devastating loss for our community and we're shocked," said Daryl Campbell, the school's interim president.

Wolff was protecting his girlfriend Friday night during a random attack in Pioneer Square when the knife-wielding attacker turned on him. His girlfriend survived, but Wolff was killed.

"I have no anger or hatred toward the killer. All I can do is just forgive him," said Wolff's brother, Tony Wolff.

The attack happened as the couple was leaving the Sounders game. During the match, Wolff posted a photo from CenturyLink Field that prompted what turned out to be his final exchange of messages with his brother.

"That last two pieces of communication before he died kind of shows it was a fun-loving, brotherly relationship where we just sort of bantered and had fun," Tony Wolff said.

At SCC, Wolff was the chair of the English Department and also worked with international students. His family said they find comfort during this difficult time knowing Wolff is now in heaven.

"He touched a lot of lives and I think a lot of kids' lives were changed because of him, and I really believe that," said Wolff's mother, Pam Wolff.

Wolff's girlfriend is now in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center.

The murder has been especially difficult for the Shoreline community because they're now mourning the loss of two faculty members. In July, an academic advisor died in a car accident in Idaho.